Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/13—Amines
  • A61K31/135—Amines having aromatic rings, e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline
  • A61K31/137—Arylalkylamines, e.g. amphetamine, epinephrine, salbutamol, ephedrine or methadone
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L33/10—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof using additives
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L33/00—Modifying nutritive qualities of foods; Dietetic products; Preparation or treatment thereof
  • A23L33/30—Dietetic or nutritional methods, e.g. for losing weight
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/02—Inorganic compounds
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/06—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite
  • A61K47/08—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite containing oxygen, e.g. ethers, acetals, ketones, quinones, aldehydes, peroxides
  • A61K47/12—Carboxylic acids; Salts or anhydrides thereof
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/06—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite
  • A61K47/08—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite containing oxygen, e.g. ethers, acetals, ketones, quinones, aldehydes, peroxides
  • A61K47/14—Esters of carboxylic acids, e.g. fatty acid monoglycerides, medium-chain triglycerides, parabens or PEG fatty acid esters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/06—Organic compounds, e.g. natural or synthetic hydrocarbons, polyolefins, mineral oil, petrolatum or ozokerite
  • A61K47/26—Carbohydrates, e.g. sugar alcohols, amino sugars, nucleic acids, mono-, di- or oligo-saccharides; Derivatives thereof, e.g. polysorbates, sorbitan fatty acid esters or glycyrrhizin
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/30—Macromolecular organic or inorganic compounds, e.g. inorganic polyphosphates
  • A61K47/36—Polysaccharides; Derivatives thereof, e.g. gums, starch, alginate, dextrin, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, inulin, agar or pectin
  • A61K47/38—Cellulose; Derivatives thereof
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
  • A61K9/08—Solutions
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
  • A61P25/08—Antiepileptics; Anticonvulsants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
  • A23V2002/00—Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
  • A23V2200/00—Function of food ingredients
  • A23V2200/30—Foods, ingredients or supplements having a functional effect on health
  • A23V2200/322—Foods, ingredients or supplements having a functional effect on health having an effect on the health of the nervous system or on mental function
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
  • A23V2200/00—Function of food ingredients
  • A23V2200/30—Foods, ingredients or supplements having a functional effect on health
  • A23V2200/332—Promoters of weight control and weight loss
  • A23V2200/3322—Low carb - reduced carbohydrate content

Definitions

• a method of treating patients with a subtype of epilepsy e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Doose syndrome
• a subtype of epilepsy e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Doose syndrome
• This invention relates to the treatment of a subtype of epilepsy (e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Doose syndrome) using an amphetamine derivative, specifically fenfluramine.
• a subtype of epilepsy e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Doose syndrome
• Fenfluramine i.e. , 3-trifluoromethyl-N-ethylamphetamine
• amphetamine derivative having the structure:
• Fenfluramine was first marketed in the US in 1973 and had been administered in combination with phentermine to prevent and treat obesity. However, in 1997, it was withdrawn from the US market as its use was associated with the onset of cardiac fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Subsequently, the drug was withdrawn from sale globally and is no longer indicated for use in any therapeutic area.
• Epilepsy is a condition of the brain marked by a susceptibility to recurrent seizures.
• There are numerous causes of epilepsy including, but not limited to birth trauma, perinatal infection, anoxia, infectious diseases, ingestion of toxins, tumors of the brain, inherited disorders or degenerative disease, head injury or trauma, metabolic disorders, cerebrovascular accident and alcohol withdrawal.
• A. Neonatal period (1. Benign familial neonatal epilepsy (BFNE),
• Panayiotopoulos syndrome 3. Epilepsy with myoclonic atonic (previously astatic) seizures, 4. Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), 5. Autosomal- dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE), 6. Late onset childhood occipital epilepsy (Gastaut type), 7. Epilepsy with myoclonic absences, 8. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, 9. Epileptic encephalopathy with continuous spike-and-wave during sleep
• CSWS Landau-Kleffner syndrome
• LLS Landau-Kleffner syndrome
• CAE Childhood absence epilepsy
• JME Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
• PME Progressive myoclonus epilepsies
• ADAF Autosomal dominant epilepsy with auditory features
• epilepsy subtypes are triggered by different stimuli, are controlled by different biological pathways and have different causes, whether genetic or environmental.
• teachings relating to one epileptic subtype are not necessarily applicable to other subtypes. This can include recognition that different epilepsy subtypes respond differently to different anticonvulsant drugs.
• Dravet syndrome is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy. Initially, the patient experiences prolonged seizures. In their second year, additional types of seizure begin to occur and this typically coincides with a developmental decline, possibly due to repeated cerebral hypoxia. This leads to poor development of language and motor skills.
• stiripentol Although it has some anticonvulsant activity on its own as a GAB A A receptor modulator; it acts primarily by inhibiting the metabolism of other anticonvulsants thereby prolonging their activity. It is labeled for use in conjunction with clobazam and valproate.
• concerns remain regarding the use of stiripentol due to its inhibitory effect on hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes.
• combination therapy which is typically required for patients with Dravet syndrome
• the effectiveness of stiripentol is limited, with few if any patients ever becoming seizure free.
• Dravet syndrome can result in a significant patient burden, as the side effects, or adverse events, from the multiple medications can be additive, and result in limiting the effectiveness of the therapy.
• Non-pharmacological treatments of Dravet syndrome have included regulating patient diets.
• the ketogenic diet was utilized to induce the metabolic effects of fasting for the management of seizures (Wilder et al. The effect of ketogenemia on the course of epilepsy. Mayo Clin. Bull, 1921, 2:307-14).
• antiepileptic drugs grew, the diet became reserved for use in selected patients.
• treatment centers have been adopting the classic ketogenic diet.
• the diet consists of an intake of three or four times as much fat as carbohydrates and protein combined.
• the ketogenic diet has now become an established alternative for managing intractable epilepsy.
• the diet was administered to subjects with Lennox- Gastaut syndrome (LGS), characterized by high seizure frequency and refractoriness to antiepileptic drugs. After 18 months on the diet, 40% of patients placed on the diet had achieved a more than 50% decrease of seizures.
• LGS Lennox- Gastaut syndrome
• carbohydrate caloric intake and may also be taking several medications.
• Liquid medications often contain flavoring and sweetening agents which add several grams of carbohydrates to a patient's diet per day.
• the success of the diet depends upon the restriction of carbohydrates to promote ketosis, the metabolic state where ketone bodies in the blood provide energy.
• the failure to monitor carbohydrate caloric content of medications may disrupt the diet.
• the invention is a method of increasing compliance with a ketogenic diet in a patient diagnosed with a subtype of epilepsy, (e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, and Doose syndrome) wherein the epilepsy has been refractory to previous treatment regimens, the method comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective dose of a formulation of fenfluramine that lacks a nutritive /digestible/glycemic carbohydrate, wherein the formulation decreases the patient' s craving for carbohydrates.
• a subtype of epilepsy e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, and Doose syndrome
• Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome who starts or maintains a ketogenic diet regimen comprising administering to the patient a fenfluramine formulation that is free of digestible carbohydrates, and the administration reduces the patients craving for carbohydrates, thereby facilitating/promoting adherence to the ketogenic diet.
• the formulation is prepared such that the formulation is compatible with a ketogenic diet for subjects with a subtype of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome.
• a subtype of epilepsy such as Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome.
• administration of the formulation of fenfluramine improves compliance with the ketogenic diet in a patient with Dravet syndrome or other refractory epilepsy.
• liquid fenfluramine formulation for the treatment of epilepsy, wherein the formulation contains no digestible carbohydrate, and which reduces carbohydrate craving, thereby promoting adherence to a ketogenic diet.
• compositions and kits finding use in practicing embodiments of the methods.
• fenfluramine can be administered as described here to reduce or eliminate seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome. This is confirmed, for example, in the article by Ceulemans et al., Epilepsia (2012) 53(7): 1131- 1139, the contents of which are incorporated herein.
• prevention of seizures means the total or partial prevention (inhibition) of seizures.
• the methods of the present invention result in a total prevention of seizures; indeed, this ideal has been achieved in a number of patients treated by the inventors.
• the invention also encompasses methods in which the instances of seizures are decreased by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%.
• photosensitive or induced can be suppressed by treatment in accordance with a method of the present invention.
• seizure is used to not only encompass photosensitive or induced seizures, but some or all of the other types of seizures experienced by patients with epilepsy.
• epilepsy subtypes and/or related syndromes e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, Doose syndrome and West syndrome, all of which are characterized as refractory (difficult to treat or manage) epilepsies.
• Idiopathic epilepsy syndromes (focal or generalised), A. Benign neonatal convulsions, 1. Familial, 2. Nonfamilial, B. Benign childhood epilepsy, 1. With central- midtemporal spikes, 2. With occipital spikes, C. Childhood/juvenile absence epilepsy, D. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (including generalised tonic-clonic seizures on awakening), E. Idiopathic epilepsy, otherwise unspecified.
• II. Symptomatic epilepsy syndromes (focal or generalised), A. West syndrome (infantile spasms), B.
• Lennox-Gastaut syndrome C. Early myoclonic encephalopathy, D. Epilepsia partialis continua, 1. Rasmussen syndrome (encephalitic form), 2. Restricted form, E. Acquired epileptic aphasia (Landau- Kief fner syndrome), F. Temporal lobe epilepsy, G. Frontal lobe epilepsy, H. Posttraumatic epilepsy, I. Other symptomatic epilepsy, focal or generalised, not specified. III. Other epilepsy syndromes of uncertain or mixed classification, A. Neonatal seizures, B. Febrile seizures, C. Reflex epilepsy, D.
• a method of increasing compliance with a ketogenic diet in a patient with refractory epilepsy comprising administering a formulation of fenfluramine that lacks a nutritive/digestible/glycemic carbohydrate, wherein the formulation decreases the patient' s craving for carbohydrates
• provided herein is a method of treating a patient with
• Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome who starts or maintains a ketogenic diet regimen comprising administering to the patient a formulation of fenfluramine wherein the formulation is free of digestible carbohydrates and the administration reduces the patients craving for carbohydrates, thereby
• liquid fenfluramine formulation for the treatment of epilepsy which contains no digestible carbohydrate, and which reduces carbohydrate craving, thereby promoting adherence to a ketogenic diet.
• the patient has been diagnosed with a subtype of epilepsy selected from the group consisting of Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Doose syndrome.
• the patient has been diagnosed with Dravet syndrome.
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked diseases and conditions characterized by various seizure types including, for example, generalized seizures, myoclonic seizures, absence seizures, and febrile seizures. Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: ALDH7A1, CACNA1A, CACNA1H, CACNB4, CASR, CHD2, CHRNA2, CHRNA4, CHRNB2, CLCN2, CNTN2, CSTB, DEPDC5, EFHC1, EPM2A, GABRA1, GABRB3, GABRD, GABRG2, GOSR2, GPR98, GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, KCNMA1, KCNQ2, KCNQ3, KCTD7, MBD5, ME2, NHLRC1, PCDH19, PRICKLEl, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, SCARB2, SCNIA, SCNIB, SCN2A, SCN4A, SCN9A, SLC2A1, TBC1D24.
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to age- related epileptic encephalopathies including, for example, early infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: ALDH7A1, ARHGEF9, ARX, CDKL5, CNTNAP2, FH, FOXG1, GABRG2, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, KCNT1, MAGI2, MAPK10, MECP2, NRXN1, PCDH19, PLCB1, PNKP, PNPO, PRRT2, RNASEH2A, RNASEH2B, RNASEH2C, SAMHD1, SCNIA, SCNIB, SCN2A, SCN8A, SCN9A, SLC25A22, SLC2A1, SLC9A6, SPTAN1, STXBP1, TCF4, TREX1, UBE3A, ZEB2.
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to malformation disorders including, for example, neuronal migration disorders, severe microcephaly, pontocerebellar hypoplasia, Joubert syndrome and related disorders, holoprosencephaly, and disorders of the RAS/MAPK pathway.
• Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: AHI1, ARFGEF2, ARL13B, ARX, ASPM, ATR, BRAF,C12orf57, CASK, CBL, CC2D2A, CDK5RAP2, CDON, CENPJ, CEP152, CEP290, COL18A1, COL4A1, CPT2, DCX, EMX2, EOMES, FGF8, FGFR3, FKRP, FKTN, FLNA, GLI2, GLI3, GPR56, HRAS, INPP5E, KAT6B, KRAS, LAMA2, LARGE, MAP2K1, MAP2K2, MCPH1, MED17, NF1, NPHP1, NRAS, OFD1, PAFAH1B1, PAX6, PCNT, PEX7, PNKP, POMGNT1, POMT1, POMT2, PQBP1, PTCH1, PTPN11,
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to epilepsy in
• Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: ARHGEF9, ARX, ATP6AP2, ATP7A, ATRX, CASK, CDKL5, CUL4B, DCX, FGDl, GPC3, GRIA3, HSD17B10, IQSEC2, KDM5C, MAGTl, MECP2, OFDl, OPHNl, PAK3, PCDH19, PHF6, PLP1, PQBP1, RAB39B, SLC16A2, SLC9A6, SMC1A, SMS, SRPX2, SYN1, SYP.
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to storage diseases and conditions characterized by organelle dysfunction including, for example, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, lysosomal storage disorders, congenital disorders of glycosylation, disorders of peroxisome biogenesis, and leukodystrophies.
• Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: AGA, ALGl, ALG12, ALG2, ALG3, ALG6, ALG8, ALG9, ALG11, ALGl 3, ARSA, ARSB, ASPA, B4GALT1, CLN3, CLN5, CLN6, CLN8, COG1, COG4, COG5, COG6, COG7, COG8, CTSA, CTSD, DDOST, DOLK, DPAGT1, DPMI, DPM3, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, EIF2B3, EIF2B4, EIF2B5, FUCA1, GALC, GALNS, GFAP, GLB1, GNE, GNPTAB, GNPTG, GNS, GUSB, HEXA, HEXB,
• HGSNAT HGSNAT
• HYAL1, IDS IDUA
• MCOLN1, MFSD8, MGAT2, MLC1, MOGS MPDU1, MPI, NAGLU, NEU1, NOTCH3, NPC1, NPC2, PEX1, PEX12, PEX14, PEX2, PEX26, PEX3, PEX5, PEX6, PEX7, PEX10, PEX13, PEX16, PEX19, PGM1, PLP1, PMM2, PPTl, PSAP, RFT1, RNASEH2A, RNASEH2B, RNASEH2C, SAMHD1, SDHA, SGSH, SLC17A5, SLC35A1, SLC35A2, SLC35C1, SMPDl, SUMFl, TMEM165, TPPl, TREXl
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to syndromic disorders with epilepsy including, for example, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy, benign rolandic epilepsy, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, Ohtahara syndrome, West syndrome, etc.
• Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: ATP2A2, ATP6V0A2, BCKDK, CACNA1A, CACNB4, CCDC88C, DYRK1A, HERC2, KCNA1, KCNJ10, KIAA1279, KMT2D, LBR, LGI1, MAPK10, MECP2, MEF2C, NDE1, NIPBL, PANK2, PIGV, PLA2G6, RAI1, RBFOX1, SCN8A, SERPINI1, SETBP1, SLC1A3, SLC4A10, SMC3, SYNGAP1, TBX1, TSC1, TSC2, TUSC3, UBE3A, VPS 13 A, VPS13B
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to the occurrence of migraines. Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: ATP1A2, CACNA1A, NOTCH3, POLG, SCN1A, SLC2A1.
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to
• Hyperekplexia Mutations may occur in the following genes: ARHGEF9, GLRA1, GLRB, GPHN, SLC6A5.
• the mutations occur in genes that are linked to inborn errors of metabolism including, for example, disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism disorders, urea cycle disorders, disorders of organic acid metabolism, disorders of fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial metabolism, disorders of porphyrin metabolism, disorders of purine or pyridine metabolism, disorders of steroid metabolism, disorders of mitochondrial function, disorders of peroxisomal function, and lysosomal storage disorders.
• Mutations may occur in one or more of the following genes: ABAT, ABCC8, ACOX1, ACY1, ADCK3, ADSL, ALDH4A1, ALDH5A1, ALDH7A1, AMT, ARG1, ATIC, ATP5A1, ATP7A, ATPAF2, BCS1L, BTD, C120RF65, CABC1, COQ2, COQ9, COX10, COX15, DDC, DHCR7, DLD, DPYD, ETFA, ETFB, ETFDH, FOLR1, GAMT, GATM, GCDH, GCSH, GLDC, GLUD1, GLUL,HPD, HSD17B10, HSD17B4, KCNJ11, L2HGDH, LRPPRC, MGME1, MMACHC, MOCS1, MOCS2, MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, NDUFA1, NDUFA2, NDUFAF6, NDUFS1, NDUFS3, NDUFS4, NDUFS7, NDUFS8, NDUFV1, PC, PD
• Fenfluramine has been known to inhibit serotonin reuptake and to trigger the release of serotonin in the brain due to disruption of its vesicular storage. Data from more recent studies provide evidence that fenfluramine is a positive allosteric modulator of the sigma-1 receptor.
• fenfluramine's mechanism of action made it suitable for the treatment of a subtype of epilepsy, e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome.
• fenfluramine in a method of the present invention, can be employed as a monotherapy in the treatment of a subtype of epilepsy, e.g., Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome.
• fenfluramine can be co-administered simultaneously, sequentially or separately with one or more co-therapeutic agents, such as anticonvulsants.
• Preferred co-therapeutic agents can be selected from the group consisting of carbamazepine, ethosuximide, fosphenytoin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, progabide, topiramate, stiripentol, valproic acid, valproate, verapamil, and benzodiazepines such as clobazam, clonazepam, diazepam, ethyl loflazepate, lorazepam, midazolam.
• Use of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a co-therapeutic agent is also contemplated.
• carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin and vigabatrin are typically contraindicated in Dravet syndrome, as they tend to make seizures worse, rather than better.
• a method of treating a subject e.g. , a patient, diagnosed with a subtype of epilepsy (e.g. , Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome) by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of a fenfluramine active agent.
• Fenfluramine active agents include fenfluramine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or conjugate thereof.
• fenfluramine can be administered in the form of the free base, or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, for example selected from the group consisting of hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, maleate, sulphate, tartrate, acetate, citrate, tosylate, succinate, mesylate and besylate.
• a pharmaceutically acceptable salt for example selected from the group consisting of hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, maleate, sulphate, tartrate, acetate, citrate, tosylate, succinate, mesylate and besylate.
• Fenfluramine for use in the methods of the present invention may be produced according to any pharmaceutically acceptable process known to those skilled in the art. Examples of processes for synthesizing fenfluramine are provided in the following documents: GB1413070, GB 1413078 and EP441160.
• any effective dose of fenfluramine can be employed.
• surprisingly low doses of fenfluramine have been found by the inventors to be efficacious, particularly for inhibiting or eliminating seizures in Dravet syndrome, Lennox- Gastaut syndrome, or Doose syndrome patients.
• a surprisingly low dose fenfluramine is also effective in reducing appetite and craving for carbohydrates, compared to the dose required for treatment of obesity in adults (usually 60- 120 mg/day).
• Wurtman et al. described a reduction in carbohydrate craving in adults who were treated with 30 mg/day of dexfenfluramine (Int. J. Eat. Disord., 1985, 4:89-99).
• the overall anorectic effect of dexfenfluramine is greater than that of 1-fenfluramine in experimental animals (Garratini et al. 1988) and humans (Goodall et al. 1992).
• Dexfenfluramine was found to possess twice the anorectic potency of the racemic mixture fenfluramine when directly compared in a group of 16 human subjects.
• Dexfenfluramine at a dose of 30 mg suppressed food intake to the same degree as fenfluramine 60 mg, suggesting that the greater part of the anorectic activity of the racemic mixture lies in the d-isomer (Silverstone T., Drugs 43 (6):820-836. 1992).
• a dose equivalent to the 30 mg/day dose of dexfenfluramine would be about 60 mg/day of racemic fenfluramine, which is used in the formulations disclosed herein.
• the maximum daily dose is not more than about 26 mg/day fenfluramine as a free base or pharmaceutically acceptable salt (for example, 30 mg/day fenfluramine hydrochloride), with a daily dose of less than about 0.8 mg/kg/day, 0.7 mg/kg/day, 0.6 mg/kg/day, 0.5 mg/kg/day, about 0.4 mg/kg/day, about 0.3 mg/kg/day, about 0.25 mg/kg/day or about 0.2 mg/kg/day to about 0.1 mg/kg/day, about 0.05 mg/kg/day, or about 0.01 mg/kg/day is employed.
• a preferred dose is not more than about 30 mg/day, and less than about 1 to about 0.01 mg/kg/day. Such a dose is less than the daily dose of fenfluramine suggested for administration to achieve weight loss.
• the fenfluramine active agent may be administered as a suitable formulation that includes the fenfluramine active agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.
• the method may include administering the fenfluramine active agent at a concentration ranging from 1 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL of fenfluramine present either as a free base or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or conjugate and providing that to the patient over a period of days, weeks or months on a once a day, twice a day, three times a day or four times a day basis wherein the dose is provided to the patient at a level of 0.2 mg/kg/day or 0.7 mg/kg/day up to a maximum of 26 mg per day fenfluramine either as a free base or in a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or conjugate.
• the dosing is preferably provided at twelve-hour intervals twice a day whereby an aspect of the invention is to reduce convulsive seizure frequency by 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, 90% or more, 95% or more, or completely eliminate seizures in the patient over a period of 10 days, 20 days, 30 days, 50 days, 100 days or more.
• the subject may be on, or may be starting on, a ketogenic diet.
• a ketogenic diet is meant that the patient consumes nutrition in the form of ketogenic meals, such as ketogenic breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
• the ketogenic diet comprised mainly of lipid, has been used for the treatment of epilepsy in children, particularly myoclonic and akinetic seizures (Wilder, R. M. Effect of ketonuria on the course of epilepsy. Mayo Clin. Bull., 1921, 2:307-ff), and has proven effective in cases refractory to usual pharmacological means (Freeman, J. M., E. P. G. Vining. Intractable epilepsy.
• Ketogenic diet therapy offers a needed adjunct strategy for management of status epilepticus. It has the potential advantages of working quickly and synergistically with other concurrent treatments, is relatively easy to start, monitor, and maintain in the controlled intensive care unit setting with close follow up, and it does not contribute to hemodynamic instability seen with anesthetic agents used to treat refractory status epilepticus.
• Either oral or parenteral administration of free fatty acids or triglycerides can increase blood ketones, provided that carbohydrate and insulin are low to prevent re- esterification in adipose tissue.
• Rats fed diets comprised of 70% corn oil, 20% casein hydrolysate, 5% cellulose, 5% McCollums salt mixture, develop blood ketones of about 2 MM. Substitution of lard for corn oil raises blood ketones to almost 5 mM (Veech, unpublished). While cellulose is a glucose polymer and thus a carbohydrate, it is not digestible by humans and is not excluded from a ketogenic diet.
• carbohydrates are often referred to as dietary fiber and are used as bulking agents as well as thickening agents.
• the diet forces the body to metabolize fats instead of carbohydrates for energy, thereby elevating the level of acetoacetate and D-3- hydroxybutyrate in the blood.
• ketone bodies these compounds are referred to as “ketone bodies,” thus the term “ketogenic” is used to describe the diet.
• ketogenic diets a recent observational study of 139 adult patients treated with ketogenic diets, 48% (67 of 139) discontinued the diet (39%) or were lost after initial follow up (9%) with approximately half of patients citing difficulty with compliance or restrictiveness as the reason for stopping.
• ketogenic diet mimics starvation (i.e. , being deprived of a source of glucose as an energy source), causing the body to shift into a metabolic state called ketosis (metabolizing fat as the predominant energy source).
• ketosis metabolizing fat as the predominant energy source.
• One cause of non-compliance or abandonment of the ketogenic diet is carbohydrate craving which results from brain signals that cause craving of the foods containing the nutrient perceived as lacking.
• carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is mainly transported and used as energy or stored as glycogen in liver and muscle tissue.
• the liver becomes the sole provider of glucose to feed bodily organs, especially the brain which, as mentioned above, accounts for -20% of total energy consumption.
• the perceived energy imbalance results in cravings, sometimes intense, for carbohydrates.
• the cravings subside over time as the body and brain adjust to the new energy balance, however, in other patients the craving for carbohydrates continues.
• a patient must avoid or strictly limit the amount of carbohydrates consumed; the consequence of non-adherence is that the body shifts back to glucose metabolism and the anti-seizure benefits subside, and cravings continue.
• the brain maintains a balance between excitation and inhibition which is mediated through two main neurotransmitters, the excitatory glutamate and the inhibitory GABA. Excessive glutamate signaling, which occurs in stroke, seizures and
• ketone bodies may act directly as pharmacological agents, although possible targets have not been elucidated.
• glutamate transport into synaptic vesicles by the vesicular glutamate transporter, VGLUT2 was found to be inhibited by the ketone body acetoacetate (Juge N, et al. Neuron., 2010, 68:99-211) at concentrations that are expected during the ketogenic diet.
• glutamate release decreased; thus, inhibition of glutamate signaling by acetoacetate may reduce neuronal excitability.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements are included in the diet to make it nutritionally complete, since the diet is very high in fat, low in proteins, and requires the near elimination of carbohydrates.
• Each patient's diet is mathematically calculated based on the age, size, and activity level of the patient. Patients normally follow the diet for one to two years, at which time the patient is slowly weaned onto a normal diet. The diet has been found to be particularly effective with epileptic children. Major drawbacks are that the diet is not very palatable and that patient compliance demands complete commitment on the part of the patient and his or her family. Moreover, the diet's high fat content might increase the risk of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis in long-term use.
• the effective dose of a compound may be administered alone or in combination with a non-pharmacological therapy to a patient with Dravet syndrome.
• Combination therapeutic methods are methods where a formulation having an effective dose of a compound may be used in combination with an additional therapy.
• a dose of an agent e.g., fenfluramine, refers to a therapeutically effective dose of the subject formulation containing the agent.
• agent e.g., fenfluramine
• a fenfluramine formulation having an effective amount of active agent can be administered alone or in conjunction with a low carbohydrate diet, such as a ketogenic diet.
• an "effective amount” is an amount of a subject compound that, when administered to an individual in one or more doses, in monotherapy or in combination therapy, is effective to reduce the occurrence of seizures by about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90%.
• the subject method further includes coadministering concomitantly with the ketogenic diet a dose of fenfluramine.
• the method includes administering the compound to a subject, e.g., a patient, on a ketogenic diet.
• the method further includes administering a ketogenic diet to a patient.
• a therapeutic agent e.g. , an amount of fenfluramine
• another therapy e.g. , a ketogenic diet.
• the therapeutic agent e.g. , an effective dose of fenfluramine
• non-pharmacological therapy e.g. , a ketogenic diet
• the effective dose of the formulation of fenfluramine may be administered at the same time with a meal of the ketogenic diet. In other embodiments, the therapeutic agent and non-pharmacological therapy are administered at different times.
• the effective dose of the fenfluramine formulation may be administered, e.g. , before or after a meal of the ketogenic diet.
• a first therapeutic agent or a therapy can be administered prior to (e.g., minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks before), concomitantly with, or subsequent to (e.g.
• Conscomitant administration of a therapeutic drug or non-pharmacological therapy means administration of the compound and additional therapy at such time that both the drug and the non-pharmacological therapy of the present invention will have a therapeutic effect. Such concomitant administration may involve concurrent (i.e. at the same time), prior, or subsequent administration of the drug with respect to the
• routes of administration of the compound may vary, where representative routes of administration are described below.
• a person of ordinary skill in the art would have no difficulty determining the appropriate timing, sequence and dosages of administration for particular drugs or therapies of the present disclosure.
• a subject compound e.g. , fenfluramine, and at least one additional compound or therapy, e.g. , a meal of a ketogenic diet
• a subject compound e.g. , fenfluramine
• at least one additional compound or therapy e.g. , a meal of a ketogenic diet
• the compound and therapy are administered within 1 hour of each other.
• the compound and therapy are administered substantially simultaneously.
• administered substantially simultaneously is meant that the compound and therapy are administered to the subject within about 10 minutes or less of each other, such as 5 minutes or less, or 1 minute or less of each other.
• a method of the present invention can be practiced on any suitable subject.
• a subject of the present invention may be a "mammal” or “mammalian”, where these terms are used broadly to describe organisms which are within the class mammalia, including the orders carnivore (e.g. , dogs and cats), rodentia (e.g. , mice, guinea pigs, and rats), and primates (e.g. , humans, chimpanzees, and monkeys). In some instances, the subjects are humans.
• the methods may be applied to human subjects of both genders and at any stage of development (i.e. , neonates, infant, juvenile, adolescent, adult), where in certain embodiments the human subject is a juvenile, adolescent or adult.
• a method of the present invention can be practiced on any appropriately diagnosed patient.
• the patient is an adult, or is aged about 18 or less, about 16 or less, about 14 or less, about 12 or less, about 10 or less, about 8 or less, about 6 or less or about 4 or less to about 0 months or more, about 1 month or more, about 2 months or more, about 4 months or more, about 6 months or more or about 1 year or more.
• the diagnosed patient is typically about one month old or older when treated.
• the dose of fenfluramine administered in the methods of the present invention can be formulated in any pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form, i.e. , formulation, including, but not limited to oral dosage forms such as tablets including orally disintegrating tablets, capsules, lozenges, oral solutions or syrups, oral emulsions, oral gels, oral films, buccal liquids, powder e.g. for suspension, and the like; injectable dosage forms; transdermal dosage forms such as transdermal patches, ointments, creams; inhaled dosage forms; and/or nasally, rectally, vaginally administered dosage forms.
• Such dosage forms can be formulated for once a day administration, or for multiple daily administrations (e.g. 2, 3 or 4 times a day administration).
• the dosage form of fenfluramine employed in the methods of the present invention may be a liquid dosage form.
• the liquid dosage form is an aqueous liquid dosage form.
• Liquid dosage forms are available orally as solutions, suspensions, or emulsions.
• the fenfluramine formulation is administered as a liquid formulation by use of an oral syringe graduated for precise measurement of the liquid formulation.
• the formulation is substantially free of oil, a non-aqueous solvent, and undissolved particles.
• the liquid oral solution dosage form may be suitable for administering a therapeutically effective dose of fenfluramine to a subject based on the condition, sex, and overall disease state of the subject.
• the liquid oral solution dosage form may be suitable for age-based or weight-based dosing.
• the oral solution dosage form may be suitable for both pediatric and adult populations.
• the oral liquid dosage forms are used by patients who experience difficulty in swallowing.
• a therapeutically effective dose of a formulation containing a fenfluramine active agent may include an effective amount of a therapeutic agent suitable for a single administration to provide a therapeutic effect.
• a therapeutically effective dose may be any variable liquid dose volume that can be measured and administered.
• a range of dose volumes includes volumes suitable for administration to pediatric populations.
• a range of dose volumes includes 0.2 mL to 12 mL, such as, for example, 0.5 mL to 6 mL.
• the dosage volume of the present invention is compatible in carbohydrate caloric content with a ketogenic diet.
• the dosage form of fenfluramine employed in the methods of the present invention can be prepared by combining a fenfluramine active agent with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, carriers, adjuvants, buffering agents, desired excipients and the like in any order of admixing and in a manner known to those skilled in the art of pharmaceutical formulation.
• Liquid dosage forms can comprise one or more optional pharmaceutical excipients including suspending agents (e.g. , gums, xanthans, celluloses and surfactants), solubilizers (e.g. , ethanol, water, glycerin, PEG and propylene glycol), surfactants (e.g.
• preservatives e.g. , parabens, sorbates acid, benzoic acid
• antioxidants e.g. , ascorbic acid, sodium metabisulfite
• anti-caking agents e.g. , anti-foaming agents (e.g. , simethicone)
• chelating agents e.g. , EDTA
• a colorant e.g. , a flavor, flavor-aid such as acidifying agent (e.g. , citric acid or tartaric acid), or cooling agent (e.g. , menthol, xylitol), or a pharmaceutically compatible vehicle or carrier.
• An aspect of a formulation according to embodiments of the present invention is a sweetener.
• sweetener refers to a sweetener, preferably a natural or artificial sweetener, which his added to formulations according to the present invention in order to render the formulation more palatable.
• the sweetener selected for the fenfluramine formulation, as well as the amount of the sweetener in a formulation is compatible with a ketogenic diet.
• the carbohydrate caloric content of the sweetener ranges from zero to 40 calories from carbohydrates per 100 g of the formulation.
• the sweetener may be a high-intensity low calorie or a non-caloric sweetener.
• Sweeteners according to the present invention may include, for example, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, cyclamates, sucralose, among numerous other synthetic sweeteners, natural sweeteners such as stevia and thaumatin, sugar alcohols (polyols) such as mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, erythritol and isomalt), as well as sugar based sweeteners such as sucrose/water solutions (USP sucrose syrup, about 85% by weight sucrose and about 15% by weight water), maltose, corn syrup, fructose syrup and related fruit syrup sweeteners, among others.
• the concentration of sweetener in the formulation may range from 0.1% (1 mg/ml) to 4% (40 mg/ml).
• the formulation may further include flavoring agents.
• Flavoring agents may increase the overall flavor, taste and desirability of the formulation. Suitable flavoring agents include, for example, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, grape, cherry, strawberry, orange, lemon, root beer, watermelon, etc. or any other flavorings stable at a desired pH or temperature.
• the dosage forms may include flavoring agents at a concentration ranging from 0.05% (0.5 mg/ml) to 1% (10 mg/ml), such as, for example, 0.05% (0.5 mg/ml) to 0.1% (1 mg/ml).
• the formulation includes a pH modifying agent, e.g. , a buffering agent.
• a pH modifying agent refers to any pharmaceutically appropriate agent that modulates, alters, or adjusts the pH of a formulation.
• buffering agent is meant any pharmaceutically appropriate agent or agents that, when formulated or delivered with the subject formulation, functions to maintain the pH of the formulation.
• the concentration of buffer may be 0.01 molar to 0.5 molar, such as 0.03M.
• a suitable pH range may include a pH of 4.5 to 6.5, such as 4.5 to 5.5 and 5.0 to 5.1.
• Suitable pH modifying agents may include, but are not limited to, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium lactate, magnesium gluconate, other magnesium salts, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide/sodium bicarbonate coprecipitate, a mixture of an amino acid and a buffer, a mixture of aluminum glycinate and a buffer, a mixture of an acid salt of an amino acid and a buffer, and a mixture of an alkali salt of an amino acid and a buffer.
• Additional pH modifying agents include, but are not limited to, magnesium carbonate, magnesium silicate, calcium acetate, calcium glycerophosphate, calcium chloride, calcium hydroxide, calcium lactate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, and other calcium salts.
• Buffering agents of interest may include sodium citrate (in combination with citric acid), sodium tartarate (in combination with tartaric acid), sodium acetate (in combination with acetic acid), sodium carbonate (in combination with sodium bicarbonate), sodium polyphosphate, potassium polyphosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, disodium hydrogenphosphate, dipotassium hydrogenphosphate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, potassium metaphosphate.
• the buffering agent is a citrate buffering agent or citrate-phosphate buffering agent, depending on, e.g. , the target pH.
• the buffering agent is tripotassium citrate and citric acid.
• Exemplary buffers include citric acid/phosphate buffer, acetate buffer, citrate buffer or phosphate buffer.
• additives can be incorporated into such liquid dosage forms to enhance stability, sterility and/or isotonicity (e.g. sugars, sodium chloride, etc).
• Antimicrobial preservatives such as ambicin, antioxidants, chelating agents, and additional buffering agents can be added.
• the formulations may be buffered to a pH within the range of optimal activity of the preservatives.
• Various antibacterial and antifungal agents such as, for example, parabens (parahydroxybenzoates or 4-hydroxybenzoates), chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, and the like can enhance prevention of the action of microorganisms.
• the preservative may be a free acid or a sodium or potassium salt.
• Suitable preservatives may include, for example, a paraben (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben), benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, bronopol, cetrimide, chlorhexidine, chlorobutanol, chlorocresol, cresol, imidurea, phenol, phenoxyethanol, phenylethyl alcohol,
• a paraben methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben
• benzalkonium chloride benzethonium chloride
• benzoic acid benzyl alcohol, bronopol, cetrimide
• chlorhexidine chlorobutanol
• chlorocresol cresol
• imidurea phenol
• phenoxyethanol phenylethyl alcohol
• the present formulation may contain an amount of preservatives effective for preventing microbial growth.
• a preservative or a combination of preservatives e.g. , the combination of methylparaben and ethylparaben either as free acids or water soluble salts (sodium or potassium salts), may be present in the formulation at concentrations ranging from 0.01% (0.2 mg/ml) to 0.5% (5 mg/ml), such as from 0.01% (0.1 mg/ml) to 0.2% (2mg/ml) on a free acid basis.
• the formulation includes 0.2% (2 mg/ml) methylparaben in combination with 0.02% (0.2 mg/ml) ethylparaben; or 0.1% (1 mg/ml) methylparaben in combination with 0.01% (0.1 mg/ml) ethylparaben Methylparaben and ethylparaben (either as free acids or water soluble salts) may be present a ratio that ranges from 20: 1 to 2: 1, e.g. , 10: 1, (methylparaben : ethylparaben).
• thickening agents or viscosity modifiers can be used in the formulation.
• Thickening agents may be used to, for example, reduce settling of particles in suspension, reduce the potential for spillage, improve control during pouring, improve the manufacturing of the formulation, improve palatability of the formulation, and improve delivery of the formulation, for example, by an oral syringe.
• the thickening agent provides a suitable viscosity to the formulation, for example, a viscosity range of 100-200cP and for example, a viscosity of 150 cP.
• Thickening agents for use in the present formulation include polymeric and non-polymeric water-miscible or water-soluble thickening agents.
• the thickening agents for use individually or in combination include methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, glycerin, xanthan gum, pregelatinized starch,
• the thickening agent may include acetylated distarch adipate, acetylated distarch phosphate, acetylated oxidized starch, acetylated starch, acid treated starch, agar, alginic acid or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, alkaline treated starch, ammonium alginate, arabinogalactan, bleached starch, calcium alginate, carrageenan, dextrin, modified starch, distarch phosphate, enzyme treated starch, gellan gum, guar gum, gum Arabic (acacia), glycerol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl starch, karaya gum, konjac gum, locust bean gum, methyl ethyl cellulose,
• polysaccharide polymers such as cellulose, or derivatized cellulose are also considered to be carbohydrates, however, given the beta-acetal linkages between the glucose units that compose celluloses, they are not digestible by humans and constitute what is referred to as dietary fiber.
• Gums such as gum arabic or xanthan gum, are soluble dietary fibers, with complex polysaccharide structures, that are primarily indigestible to both humans and animals. Given their undigestible nature, they are not incompatible with a ketogenic diet as they do not present an appreciable amount of carbohydrate for metabolism.
• the formulation comprises a thickening agent which is substantially devoid of digestible carbohydrate.
• Thickening agents may be of any grade providing a desired viscosity range, e.g., of 1500-5000 mPa.s (cP) for 1% solution.
• concentration of the thickening agent ranges from 0.2% (2 mg/ml) to 5% (50 mg/ml), such as from 0.3% (3 mg/ml) to 2% (20 mg/mL), including 0.4% (4 mg/mL) to 1% (10 mg/mL).
• the formulation and dosage of the present invention is one that is compatible with a ketogenic diet.
• the total carbohydrate caloric content of a single dose of the formulation ranges from zero to 5 carbohydrate calories.
• a single component of the subject formulation has a carbohydrate caloric content of zero to 2 carbohydrate calories.
• the formulation lacks a nutritive/digestible/glycemic carbohydrate.
• the formulation is a liquid fenfluramine formulation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a fenfluramine active agent; and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, wherein the formulation does not contain a digestible carbohydrate and reduces carbohydrate craving thus promoting compliance with a ketogenic diet.
• the active agent is fenfluramine base or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or conjugate thereof.
• the fenfluramine active agent is a fenfluramine pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
• the fenfluramine pharmaceutically acceptable salt is fenfluramine hydrochloride.
• the liquid fenfluramine formulation is an aqueous formulation.
• the aqueous formulation comprises a sweetener.
• the sweetener is at least a low-calorie sweetener.
• the sweetener is a not a source of digestible carbohydrate. In some embodiments, the sweetener is a non-caloric sweetener. In some embodiments, the sweetener is sucralose.
• fenfluramine may be stable in an aqueous solution, as described above.
• the fenfluramine formulation is stable for 6 to 60 months when stored at room temperature or at temperatures ranging from 5°C to 60°C.
• the formulation is formulated in a pH ranging from 4 to 7.
• the formulation may be stored in any container suitable to maintain the stability of the formulation during its shelf life.
• the dose of fenfluramine to be used in a method of the present invention can be provided in the form of a kit, including instructions for using the dose in one or more of the methods of the present invention.
• the kit can additionally comprise a dosage form comprising one or more co-therapeutic agents.
• Fenfluramine hydrochloride is a crystalline material that exists as a single form (Form 1) with a needle-like morphology.
• the drug substance is chemically and physically stable in the solid state and no other polymorphs have been observed in a polymorph screening study or in the accelerated and long-term stability studies.
• the drug substance aqueous solubility varies moderately as a function of pH. At 25 °C, the solubility ranges from approximately 25 mg/ml at pH 1.7 to over 50 mg/mL at pH 6.7. With solubility of more than 10-fold higher than its concentration in the drug product, precipitation of the drug substance out of solution is unlikely to occur under normal storage conditions, including long-term refrigeration. Drug product formulation stored at 5°C for more than one month and for several days at -20°C did not show any significant change in fenfluramine assay.
• excipients in fenfluramine oral solution formulation include preservatives, viscosity building agent, sweetener, buffering agents and a flavoring agent. All excipients used in the formulation are commonly used excipients in approved pharmaceutical products. Compatibility with the drug substance in solution has been demonstrated through real-time stability data.
• Methylparaben sodium sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
• Methylparaben sodium is a compendial excipient with USP-NF and Ph. Eur. monographs. It is the sodium salt of methyl 4- hydroxybenzoic acid.
• Methylparaben is a preservative commonly used in oral, topical and injectable pharmaceutical formulations, both as free acid and sodium salt and exhibits its antimicrobial activity in the pH range of 4-8. Paraben preservatives are typically used in combination due to the known synergy in their antimicrobial effects.
• Methylparaben sodium is used in the formulation at a concentration of
• Methylparaben concentration in fenfluramine drug product and placebo is within the range used in FDA-approved oral pharmaceutical products listed on the inactive ingredient database.
• the solubility of methylparaben and its salts is pH dependent, with lower solubility in acids and higher solubility in alkaline media. Solubility of the free acid in water is 0.25% (1 in 400) at 20°C and 0.30% at 25°C (PubChem). Methylparaben sodium has a higher aqueous solubility than the free acid and was found to dissolve more rapidly in the drug product formulation.
• the sodium salt of methylparaben was selected to minimize the risk of preservative precipitation if the product is inadvertently stored at cold temperatures for an extended period of time.
• the sodium salts of methyl- and ethylparaben in combination, no sign of precipitation was observed in the drug product formulation after one month of storage at 5°C during early development.
• some precipitation up to 20% of methylparaben was later observed in temperature cycling studies with no effect of preservative efficacy. No precipitation has been observed in the long-term storage stability studies.
• the intended commercial formulation of fenfluramine oral solution is buffered to a target pH of 5.0 and no significant increase the degradant level has been observed to date, with up to 24 months stability data in the representative clinical formulation and 18 months data in the intended commercial formulation.
• Methylparaben sodium is moderately hygroscopic and may contain up to
• Methylparaben sodium has a slightly burning taste.
• Ethylparaben sodium sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate
• USP-NF and Ph. Eur. monographs It is the sodium salt of ethyl 4- hydroxybenzoic acid.
• Ethylparaben and its sodium and potassium salts are used as preservatives in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations.
• Ethylparaben was selected for use as the second paraben preservative in fenfluramine oral solution due to its higher aqueous solubility compared to the more commonly used propylparaben, since the parabens' aqueous solubility decreases with the chain length.
• Ethylparaben sodium is used in the formulation at a concentration of 0.023%, in combination with 0.23% methylparaben sodium. These concentrations were selected based on data from preservative efficacy testing (PET). A lower concentration level was also evaluated in the study.
• the sodium salts of the parabens were selected to minimize the risk of preservative precipitation if the product is inadvertently stored at cold temperatures for an extended period of time.
• the sodium salts of methyl- and ethylparaben in combination, no sign of precipitation was observed in the drug product formulation after one month of storage at 5°C during early development.
• some precipitation up to 5% of ethylparaben was later observed in temperature cycling studies with no effect of preservative efficacy. No precipitation has been observed in the long-term storage stability studies.
• ethylparaben degrades in solution by hydrolysis. The rate increases at higher pH.
• the pH of the drug product formulation was optimized to minimize the preservative degradation while maintaining adequate solubility, and no significant increase in the preservatives degradation product has been observed in long- term stability studies.
• Hydroxyethylcellulose is a compendial excipient with a USP, Ph. Eur. and
• JP harmonized monograph It is commonly used in pharmaceutical liquid formulations as a viscosity building (thickening) agent and suspending agent, and in solid dosage forms as a binder and coating agent. It is used in fenfluramine oral solution as a thickening agent.
• HEC is a nonionic semi-synthetic water-soluble polymer. It is a partially substituted poly (hydroxy ethyl) ether of cellulose and is available in different grades, with a wide range of viscosity depending on the degree of substitution and molecular weight.
• the grade used in fenfluramine oral solution 250HX has a specified viscosity range of 1500 - 2500 mPa.s for 1% aqueous solution. Using this high viscosity grade allowed for achieving the target viscosity range for the drug product at 0.5% concentration (5 mg of HEC per ml). The amount is within the range of use in FDA-approved products for oral administration.
• HEC dissolves in cold and hot water, but as with other hydrophilic polymers, the particles tend to agglomerate when wetted before completely swelling and then eventually dissolving. It tolerates relatively high concentrations of ionic components and has no known incompatibility with any of the other excipients used in the formulation.
• HEC solutions are clear, colorless and tasteless.
• HEC is stable in solution but is susceptible to acid hydrolysis at low pH, which may result in a drop in viscosity. Oxidative degradation may occur under alkaline conditions.
• Sucralose is a semi- synthetic sweetener approved by the FDA as a non- nutritive sweetener and is commonly used in food products and pharmaceutical formulations. Sucralose is used as a sweetener in fenfluramine drug product at a concentration of 0.1% (1.0 mg/mL), which is within the range used in FDA-approved pharmaceutical products.
• Sucralose is water-soluble and its solution is colorless and has a sweet taste.
• Fragrances (IFF), Netherland) is a proprietary mixture of flavoring agents for use in food, beverage and pharmaceutical products. It is used in the formulation at 0.1% (1 mg/ml).
• Potassium citrate (tripotassium citrate) is the tripotassium salt of citric acid.
• Potassium citrate is highly soluble in water and its aqueous solutions are colorless and have saline taste. Potassium citrate is a generally regarded as safe (GRAS) material.
• Citric acid is a GRAS material and a compendial excipient with USP-NF and Ph. Eur. monographs. It is used in food, beverages and pharmaceutical products as a buffering agent, acidifying agent and a flavor aid. It is used in fenfluramine oral solution as a buffering agent in combination with potassium citrate.
• Citric acid is readily soluble in water and has a sour taste of which the intensity depends on the concentration.
• An aqueous oral solution is generally considered an acceptable dosage form for children as young as newborns.
• the liquid dosage form provides flexibility for age- based or weight-based dosing.
• the target range of dose volumes (0.5 mL to 6 mL) is small enough for administering to young children without compromising accuracy of dose measurement.
• oral solutions Compared to other pediatric oral dosage forms (suspensions, dispersible powders or granules and orally disintegrating tablets), oral solutions have the lowest risk of choking and aspiration due to the absence of solid particles.
• An oral solution is also most likely to be compatible with gastric and nasogastric tube administration.
• the aqueous vehicle provides acceptable mouth feel.
• Aqueous formulations in multi-dose containers require preservation against microbial growth.
• a buffering system is required to maintain the pH at an adequate range for preservatives efficacy, solubility and stability.
• the drug product is sweetened and flavored to improve acceptability for pediatric patients by masking potential objectionable taste from the active and/or other formulation components, such as preservatives, and the saline taste from the buffering salt.
• Increased viscosity of the liquid formulation reduces the potential for accidental spillage and improves control during pouring to prevent overflow. It is also believed to contribute to taste masking by reducing the contact area with the tongue.
• a red dye was included in the clinical product to ensure blinding of placebo and active solutions. However, for the intended commercial formulation, a coloring agent is unnecessary.
• Fenfluramine hydrochloride concentrations between 0.5 and 5 mg/mL were initially evaluated. For accuracy of dose measurement and ease of administration, 2.5 mg/ml was selected as the target concentration for the intended commercial product since it results in dosing volumes of not less than 0.5 ml per dose and not more than 6 ml per dose. Two additional concentrations (1.25 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml) were later developed using the same liquid formulation to enable dose blinding in Phase 3 clinical studies.
• Fenfluramine was stable for at least 6 months when stored at 60°C in pH 6.8 aqueous solution.
• a buffered aqueous vehicle was selected due to the good solubility of drug substance in water and solution stability.
• Aqueous solutions in multi-dose containers generally require antimicrobial preservation.
• Two preservative systems (sorbic acid and a paraben combination) that are commonly used in aqueous oral liquids were evaluated for preservative efficacy and stability in fenfluramine oral solution prototypes.
• the formulations containing the preservative systems were compared also to a preservative-free formulation.
• the formulations were buffered to a pH within the range of optimal activity of the
• the parabens are broad spectrum preservatives that are effective over a pH range of 4-8. Combinations are typically used due to synergistic effects.
• the combination of methylparaben and ethylparaben were evaluated in the prototype formulations of fenfluramine hydrochloride solution. Methylparaben is the most commonly used and most water soluble of the paraben preservatives. Ethylparaben, a less commonly used paraben, was included because of its higher aqueous solubility when compared to longer chain alternatives (propylparaben and butylparaben).
• the higher preservative level (0.2% methylparaben and 0.02% ethylparaben, on a free acid basis) was selected for the clinical formulation.
• Long-term stability data for preservative efficacy confirmed the efficacy of the selected preservative level.
• Methylparaben and ethylparaben are soluble at the concentrations used in the drug product formulation with a solubility of 2.5 mg/ml and 0.8 mg/ml, respectively.
• difficulties in dissolving the preservatives were observed when the paraben free acids were used. Precipitation was also detected, particularly when prototypes were stored at 2-8°C.
• Methylparaben and ethylparaben free acids were later replaced with the corresponding sodium salts due to higher solubility and faster dissolution in the formulation vehicle at room temperature, and no dissolution or precipitation issues were observed with the salts during development studies or during long-term stability testing.
• hydroyethylcellulose 250 HX were assessed for interference in the HPLC assay method being developed for the drug product.
• the povidone containing formulation resulted in blockage and damage to the HPLC column, likely due to the relatively high concentration of polymer. Further dilution of the product would have resulted in lower sensitivity of the method.
• hydroxyethylcellulose was selected as the thickener for drug product formulation because it was the easiest to disperse and hydrate, the quickest to dissolve and the most efficient in terms of viscosity increase per amount added.
• concentration selected is 0.5%, which provide a viscosity of approximately 150 cP.
• a ketogenic (low carbohydrate) diet may be used in epilepsy patients whose seizures are refractory to conventional antiepileptic drug therapy
• the sweetener selection effort for fenfluramine hydrochloride oral solution focused on high-intensity non- caloric, or low-calorie sweeteners, including mannitol, maltitol, maltodextrin, sorbitol and sucralose.
• Sugar alcohols (polyols) were quickly eliminated due to their potential laxative effects and limited availability of data on their acceptability in children.
• Sucralose was selected because of its broad acceptability, high sweetness power allowing its use at very low concentrations, and good taste profile (no aftertaste).
• Sucralose concentrations in oral liquid product listed on the FDA's inactive ingredients database range from 0.1% to 4%.
• concentration selected for fenfluramine hydrochloride (0.1%) is on the low end of the used range and was intended to balance the need for sweetening to make the product palatable to small children against the potential of making it too attractive to the point that risks overdosing.
• a pH range of 4.5 to 6.5 was investigated during formulation development studies.
• Various prototypes were prepared with either citrate buffer or citrate -phosphate buffer, depending on target pH.
• the prototypes were tested for fenfluramine assay and related substances as well as preservatives assay and related substances on stability, and were visually assessed for precipitation after up to one month refrigeration.
• Fenfluramine hydrochloride was stable over the entire range of pH, but a degradation product of the paraben preservatives was observed with an increasingly higher magnitude as the formulation pH was increased.
• a target pH of 5.0 (range: 4.5- 5.5) was selected because it minimized the preservatives degradation at long-term and accelerated stability conditions without causing precipitation in product stored at 2-8°C.
• the buffer components in the drug product formulation are tripotassium citrate and citric acid. Potassium citrate was used instead of sodium citrate to avoid common ion effect with the paraben sodium salts, which may have contributed to precipitation in prototypes containing sodium citrate.
• the drug product acceptability in the target patient population was a main consideration in selecting the dosage form and developing the formulation.
• An oral solution is suitable for pediatric or adult use across the entire anticipated dosing range.
• the advantage of an oral liquid preparation is that variable dose volumes can be measured and administered. With weight or age based dosing, smaller children will receive smaller dose volumes reducing the risk for incomplete ingestion and, thus, under-dosage. Efforts were made to minimize the dose volume while recognizing the need to assure accurate measurements of the dose over the anticipated range.
• the volume of a single dose of fenfluramine hydrochloride ranges from 0.4 mL to 6 mL.
• the following factors contribute to palatability and acceptability of the formulation:
• Fenfluramine oral solution is an aqueous-based formulation that does not contain any oil, non-aqueous solvent or undissolved particles. Therefore, it is not expected to have texture-related issues.
• the formulation is sweetened and flavored with a generally acceptable flavor (cherry).
• the flavor and sweetener concentrations are low to remain as close as possible to a neutral taste.
• the drug substance concentration is low (2.5 mg/mL). At such low concentrations, the detectability of drug substance taste is typically low, especially with the flavoring and sweetening agents.
• the formulation is slightly viscous, which typically aids in taste masking and palatability due to smaller contact area (less spread) on the tongue.
• Fenfluramine solution for oral administration is a colorless, cherry-flavored oral solution containing 2.5 mg/mL fenfluramine hydrochloride (equivalent to 2.16 mg/mL fenfluramine) in aqueous vehicle.
• HDPE high density polyethylene
• a press-in bottle adapter will be inserted in the bottle opening prior to dispensing.
• the primary container for fenfluramine oral solution is a white HDPE round bottle with 28 mm screw neck.
• Six different bottle sizes may be used to package the drug product. These are: 30, 60, 120, 250, 360 and 500 mL. All bottles are of similar design and construction.
• the bottle closure is a plastic (multilayer) child-resistant cap with a tamper evident band and printed opening instructions.

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